The Chapter took a day off from its work schedule in order to celebrate this special Founder's Day. The day began in the Generalate Chapel with morning prayer.

Following breakfast, there was a brief General Assembly at which Br. John Johnston, Superior General, read for the members a letter from Pope John Paul II in which his Holiness spoke about the May double anniversary of the Founder.

The members divided into language groups and took public transportation on a visit to five Brothers' schools in Rome. The metro stop just around the corner from the Generalate makes transportation very easy. Metro tickets in hand, the members of the Chapter followed their tour guides to their destinations in Rome. Only item missing for the guides was an umbrella with a ribbon at the top. While it is very common to see religious wearing their habits on the bus system in Rome, the variety of dress still caused a few heads to turn.

At Pio IX, Villa Flaminia, Colle La Salle, Collegio San Giuseppe, and Pio XII, the members were led on tours and were given diverse presentations by students and administrators. Each school had its own celebrations and modified schedule. While this was a 'double' anniversary for the Lasallians, it was a triple celebration for many others. Lazio, one of the two football teams in the area, won its first championship in 26 years the evening before. Blue and white scarves were everywhere. It was definitely a Lasalle-Lazio celebration for the day.

Following morning tours and entertainment, the groups settled in for the highlight of any Roman feast day, a Roman feast. Following several hours of experiencing the wonderful hospitality and cuisine of our hosts, it was time to return to the Casa Generalizia for our own celebration of Founders Day.

The members of the Chapter gathered on the steps of the Casa Generalizia for a photo before going into the Generalate chapel for the Liturgy celebrated by his Eminence, Cardinal Salvatore Pappalardo, former Cardinal Archbishop of Palermo, Sicily and an affiliated member of the Institute. His homily demonstrated his knowledge of the Founder and his long time association with the Brothers.

One of the symbols incorporated into the celebration of the Liturgy was the logo featured several times on our web site. The diversity of the Institute is featured in the five elements of the cruciform, becoming one; unity in diversity. During the Liturgy, several members of the Chapter came forward and placed on a large white background, the various parts of the logo. Just as the members had gathered here in Rome from all over the world, the logo was dramatically 'created' during the service representing the members coming together as one.

Tomorrow, the work of the Chapter continues with the presentation of the first reports of the commissions.